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Adriana and Bill at The Park Savoy

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Adriana and Bill at The Park Savoy

How did you meet?
Bill and I met in college when we both attended The College Of New Jersey. We were best friends first and I even set him up with a couple of my friends! Soon enough, I discovered that I had feelings for him (he claims he had feelings for me since day one) and we started officially dating sophomore year. We went through our ups and downs (as all couples who meet in college do) and even split up for a period after college where we both discovered that we couldn’t be without one another. We got back together in April of 2013 and have been together ever since.

How did you get engaged?
We go engaged in Jersey City (where we lived for four years) with the city skyline as our background. Bill had told me we were going to dinner with his boss and coworkers and I’d gotten all dressed up for a nice dinner on the water. By the time we’d gotten to the venue, he’d asked me if I wanted to take a walk to the water. As soon as he asked that of me… I knew. But I never expected what he’d had planned. As we approached the waterfront, I’d seen 3 large white balloons leading up to this lovely picnic blanket. On each balloon he’d attached a card with a favorite quote of mine by my favorite authors (I was an English major in college and a huge book nerd).

Attached to each card was a Little Words Project bracelet (the company that I founded back in 2013) spelling out our song “A Beautiful Mess” by Jason Mraz. Once I made it through reading all the cards, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Afterwards, we had an impromptu photoshoot with Paparazzi Proposals and were then greeted by all of my closest friends and family at the same restaurant we were having our supposed “work dinner.” It was truly the most magical night.

Details of the day!
The wedding was set at The Park Savoy which is modeled after an English Manor. We absolutely love all things history so we wanted to infuse some vintage elements into our big day (hence my wearing my mother’s dress!). The colors were mauve and gold and I had light florals and a pink flower wall! The theme was romantic vintage and the florals and decor was meant to mirror that. We were married at my childhood church in Livingston, NJ.

Why did you choose your venue?
We loved the high ceilings and the beautiful chandeliers. It also helps that they are known to have the best food in NJ for wedding venues and it was absolutely AMAZING. Our guests still talk about their dining experience to this day!

What was on your menu?
The wedding menu included Chateaubriand and salmon. The cake was Oreo and chocolate creme.

All about your gown!
My mother had always joked with me that she would pay for my wedding if I wore her wedding dress. Of course, she was absolutely kidding as I was growing up but it was always in my head that I would absolutely have to try on my mother’s dress before shopping for my own.

When I did, it became immediately clear that it would need a lot of work (hello 80’s shoulders) but it was extremely doable! I’ve always loved vintage revivals and stories. I loved the idea of walking down the aisle in the dress my mother wore to marry my father (still married almost 30 years later). She also had designed it herself for her wedding day! So the idea of being able to wear something of her design was thrilling. The dress featured a sliming bodice and delicate lace and beadwork. The train was a delicate tule and silk ruffle that fused Mexican elements (my mother is Mexican).

What was your favorite moment?
My favorite moment was reading his vows. As I was sitting there, having my maid of honor put on my shoes (late as usual) reading those special words he’d written me, I couldn’t have been more grateful or excited for what was about to happen. He poured his heart and soul into those words and I will treasure them forever. It was in that moment that the weight of what was about to happen had finally hit me. After all those years of loving him, of hoping we’d be together in the end, and of praying that time could fast forward so we could just finally have this happy ending- I was finally getting everything I’d always wanted and I couldn’t have been more grateful.

One detail you couldn’t live without?
My grandmother’s pin on my bridal bouquet. My grandma was also a jewelry maker. She owned a business for 20 years creating costume jewelry named Lisa Jewels. Every time I attend a flea market or estate sale I always scour the jewelry boxes for the familiar Lisa insignia without any luck. Until one day, I came across one of her pins that my dad claims was one of her favorite designs. Needless to say, I needed it to make an appearance on my big day. I also loved seeing my bridesmaids decked out in their Little Words. To have created a business from nothing just 4 years prior, its as such an incredible feeling to see my favorite women wearing a product that I created on the day I got to marry my best friend. It really brings my love for jewelry and my love for friends and family full circle.

Did anything go wrong?
YES! Of course it did – would it have been a wedding if it hadn’t? When I arrived at the door to the church on my father’s arm- the worst happened- I noticed that Bill was not standing at the alter. I whispered to my dad through a clenched smile “Dad, where is Bill!?” We had no idea what do to so rather than begin walking down the aisle before he’d arrived there, I shuffled backwards and had them close the doors. It turns out that due to a comedy of errors (wrong song playing, bridal party told to walk too early, the priest never being alerted etc) Bill and his best man were in the back room waiting for a cue that never came! Beyond that, our escort cards done by our florist were done incorrectly and Bill’s entire company did not have a place card which led to a slight debacle at the reception itself. But the good news is we’re now able to laugh at it and we always say that it wouldn’t have been our wedding if it wasn’t ” A Beautiful Mess.”

First dance song?
A Beautiful Mess by Jason Mraz

Any advice for future brides?
Don’t put too much pressure on making every last detail perfect! Looking back, I wish I’d spent a little less time (and money) on small things that no one even notices anyway. We can often become so obsessed with the details that we forget that they’re just details and what people really care about is how happy you are on your big day- and not the quality of the deodorant in the bathroom basket!